PAUL ZURN, Her Majesty’s Acting Assistant Vice-Consul to Von Donop , Her Majesty’s Ship Jason, off the Rio Grande, February 13, 1864

Vice-Consul Zurn to Captain Von Donop.

Sir: I have to communicate to you, that, under pretext of buying her cargo of provisions, and by means of a permit of General Herron, original of which is in my possession (copy No. 1,) the military authorities in Brownsville have enticed the British brigantine Scylla, of Liverpool, Francis D. Hamilton, master, into Brazos harbor and then seized her and taken away $13,000 in specie.

The statement of the master appears to me of so serious a nature, that I have ordered him to make his deposition before you immediately. At the same time you may see fit to ask him minutely in regard to certain threats the said master will have heard from the commander of a United States gunboat now stationed off Brazos harbor, referring to the intended seizure of the British ship Herbert, which is now on her way from Liverpool to this port, with a considerable sum of money on board, and with a cargo which I have been credibly informed does not contain a single article of contraband merchandise.

I have, &c., &c.,